The Embassy of Japan has searched for the best comic creators in the UK since 2007. The search now continues with two competitions, Manga Jiman and Yonkoma, with the aim of providing a platform for aspiring comic artists.
What is manga? Put simply, manga are comics and in Japan manga encompass a broad range of styles and themes.
Artists aged 14 and over can enter stories told within 6 to 8 pages.
For full details, read the Manga Jiman 2021 Rules & Regulations (PDF) and we ask entrants to submit an Entry Form (Word Document) along with their work.
From this year, artists aged 11 and over can enter a story told in a 4-panel comic strip, which follows a fixed structure.
For full details, read the Yonkoma Competition 2021 Rules & Regulations (PDF).
Entrants are asked to create their entry using this Yonkoma Template and submit an Entry Form (Word Document) along with their work.
Only original and unpublished entries are accepted and for that reason, entrants are asked to create a story containing a written or visual reference to a theme every year.
The theme for 2021 is 'light' and the meaning is open to interpretation.
Please state how your work references the theme on your entry form.